1. http://parasol.tamu.edu Undergraduate Research Nancy M. Amato and Chinwe Ekenna Senior Director of Engineering Honors Programs Unocal Professor, Parasol Lab, Dept. CSE Texas A&M University

2. Nancy’s Experiences with Ugrad Researchers 100+ ugrads have worked with my group in last 18 years –About half in summer programs, half during academic year –More than half have published –Most have gone on to grad school, some at Texas A&M, others at Berkeley, Stanford, CMU, UIUC, etc. recipients of grad fellowships such as NSF, DOE HPC, etc They have been a great addition to the group –it’s more fun, the grad students get advising experience, etc. Administration of REU Programs –co-Direct a national undergraduate research program (CRA-W/CDC DREU program) for underrepresented groups (women, persons with disabilities, and ethnic minorities) –co-PI on an REU Site Project in my Department

3. Nancy’s Students I have a large & active research group –Graduated 14 PhDs (7 from underrepresented groups) 7 in Academia (WUSTL, Iowa State, GMU, UNM, Sewanee, ITAM, UNAM) 4 in research labs (IBM, Google, LLNL, NRL) 1 in gaming startup 2 postdocs –14 Current PhD students (7 from underrepresented groups) –MS advising (15 graduated, 3 current) –BS advising (100+ previous, 10+ current), 5 HS students (3 current)

4. and recently, high school students Summer 2012, I had two high school students for the first time – WOW! –Kensen Shi, rising senior at A&M Consolidated High School Won 2012 Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology, including $100K college scholarship, authored paper published in IEEE ICRA 2013 (trip to Germany with minor!), and one accepted for ICRA 2014 (Hong Kong!). Junior at Stanford. –Daniel Latypov, rising senior at the Woodlands High School Now junior at TAMU working in my lab and presented a paper at ICRA 2014 in Hong Kong We had 7 high schoolers this summer –it’s fun, the ugrads get advising experience

5. Outline 5 Undergraduate Research Basics What is Undergraduate Research Undergraduate Research vs. Classes Why you should consider Research Finding Research Opportunities Logistics: Location, stipends, etc Opportunities & Resources

6. Undergraduate research is defined as the inquiry or investigation conducted by an undergraduate in collaboration with a faculty mentor that makes an original intellectual or creative contribution to the discipline. ….. The Council for Undergraduate Research What is Undergrad Research?

7. Undergrad Research vs Classes How undergrad research is different from traditional classes Gathering and creating new knowledge Experience active vs. passive learning Exploring new ways of thinking and entering your field's professional dialogue How undergrad research is similar to traditional classes Teamwork Discipline/ diligence deadlines

8. Why You Should Consider Research Course Credit – use as technical elective $$ - yes, you can be paid to do research! See if you like it – grad school Resume adornment Get to know professor well (letters…..) Make new friends (grow your network) You can have an office! Travel to exotic places But most importantly….. It is FUN & EXCITING

9. Questions to think about Which subject areas most interest you? Which topics in your classes interest you? Do you have a specific project in mind or do you want to acquire a set of skills? Remember: You need to be very excited about working on a research project, don't do it just to build your resume or earn academic credit.

10. Finding Research Opportunities Ask your professors, advisor for opportunities Visit research groups in your department Continue a project that you start in a class Department Summer/Research Programs Government and Public Sector National Labs, Office of Naval Research, Department of Energy, IBM, Microsoft, etc. Organizations NSF, CDC, CRA-W, Universities Use the web! Google: “Undergraduate Research Engine” 10

11. Logistics: location, stipends, etc. Summer research Stipends often range from $350 to $700 per week Housing and meals Often included, but expect the stipend to be a bit lower Sometimes not included, but then expect the stipend to be a bit higher Transportation subsidy Sometimes provided if you need to temporarily relocate Academic year research opportunities Might provide a stipend (typically an hourly amount) Often provide academic credit 11

12. Summer Research Programs 12 NSF REU Sites (located at Universites throughout the US) http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/ reu/reu_search.jsp College USRG (undergraduate summer research grant) http://engineering.tamu.edu/g raduate/undergraduate- bridges TimeUsually 10 weeks in the summer; timing varies by program June 2 – August 7, 2015 (10 weeks) Stipend per studentVaries, but usually around $7000 for the summer (stipend and housing/meal allowance combined) $5,000 stipend, housing or housing allowance, and actual travel expenses up to $400 deadlineVaries, but usually Feb/Mar for the next summer February 18, 2015 ApplicationVaries with departmentsStudents apply online at http://apply2.tamu.edu/reu/usr g

13. Resources 13 CRA-E Conquer Site: This site provides resources for undergraduate students, interested in research, graduate school, and research careers in computer science. undergraduate students http://conquer.cra.org/ NSF REU Site Listing http://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_search.jsp College Information about undergraduate research http://engineering.tamu.edu/graduate/undergraduate- bridges

14. University programs Undergraduate Research Scholars Program http://hur.tamu.edu/Undergraduate-Research/Undergraduate- Research-Scholars College programs - fall/spring Engineering Honors Program http://engineering.tamu.edu/academics/certificates/eh AggiE-Challenge http://engineering.tamu.edu/easa/areas/enrichment/aggie- challenge Resources

15. Title/Research ProgramMajorsContact Information Multifunctional materials systemsAerospace EngineeringDr. Jacques Richard richard@tamu.edu AERO-U: Aero-propulsion/fluid physics All engineering majors (including computer science), math, physics and other physical sciences Dr. Jacques Richard richard@tamu.edu Texas Center for Undergraduate Research in Energy and Combustion Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering Dr. Eric Petersen epetersen@tamu.edu Interdisciplinary Research Experiences in Mechatronics, Robotics and Automated System Design Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Manufacturing Engineering, Engineering Technology Dr. Sheng-Jen "Tony" Hsieh hsieh@tamu.edu CSCE [at] TAMU REU Summer Program Computer Science, Computer Engineering Theresa Roberts theresa@cse.tamu.edu Resources

16. Title/Research ProgramMajorsContact Information Smart Energy and Smart Systems: Enabling the Future through Electrical & Computer Engineering Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering Dr. Robert Balog rbalog@ece.tamu.edu Dr. Karen Butler-Purry klbutler@ece.tamu.edu Undergraduate Summer Research Grant (USRG) Program All engineering majors (including computer science) and related math/sciences (e.g. physics, biology) Matthew Pariyothorn mattp@tamu.edu Transportation Scholars ProgramCivil EngineeringDr. Gene Hawkins ugtsp@civil.tamu.edu Computing for DisastersComputer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering or closely related field Theresa Roberts theresa@cse.tamu.edu Texas Transportation Institute - Advancing Transportation Leadership and Safety Center (ATLAS) Summer Internship Program All majors are welcomeLaura Higgins l-higgins@tamu.edu Texas Transportation Institute - Center for Railway Research Program -Amy White a-white@ttimail.tamu.edu Resources

17. Thanks again to you and my students! The best thing about this job is my students!

18. CDC/CRA-W Research Programs (http://cra-w.org/) 18 CREUDREU TimeAcademic year (10- 15 hrs/week) plus optional summer (10 weeks) Summer (10 weeks) Stipend per student$1500 per semester, $4000 summer $7000, relocation travel assistance DeadlineMay 18, 2015Feb 15, 2015 LocationHome institutionMentor’s institution ApplicationStudents and mentors submit a proposal to work together the following year (Due early to mid May) Students and mentors apply separately and are matched by the program (Due mid February)